Lover of God, nature, wildlife, birds, gardening, photography, travel, simple living, health, pets and seeking a peaceful, healing lifestyle. Life has many hurts and sorrows but within "the [divine] nature in us" we CAN overcome.

Friday, September 21, 2012

Sarah P. Duke Gardens at Duke University - Durham, NC

Often spoken of as "the crown jewel of Duke University," Duke Gardens occupies 55 acres in the heart of west campus. It's recognized as one of the premier public gardens in the United States, renowned both for landscape design and the quality of horticulture, each year attracting more than 300,000 visitors from all over the world.

We first visited Duke Gardens in late November over the Thanksgiving holiday. The fall colors were gorgeous and we were blessed with visiting on the day that a huge ginkgo tree lost its leaves. They usually drop all their leaves in one day or at least most of them. It was such an awesome sight to behold I was mesmerized. However after coming back home I realized I didn't get one photo. I just stood spellbound watching the scene in slow motion.

It seemed such a spiritual experience. There were children running around under the tree as if snowflakes were coming down. Adults, many Asian, were picking up leaves carefully and stacking them in their hands.

Gingko leaves are medicinal. It's an extremely popular herb that millions use and it's considered an anti-aging herb because it increases circulation to the entire body, especially the brain, which elevates mood, enhances alertness and memory, and increases overall stamina. More on Ginkgo ...

The most recent visit in early September was much more colorful with many more plants in bloom. All of the fountains were refreshing to view since it was warm instead of chilly. There were some huge "quiche dish" type of plants in a few of the ponds and we were excited to be able to find out what they were by searching online. They have quite a story about them on the photo information in the album.

Matter of fact it was so warm that we decided to skip a couple of areas that we had viewed on our first visit. They were both areas of shade so the appearance wasn't much different.

Copyright and Reprint Information

All photos remain the property of Donna L. Watkins, but may be used with proper credit and link back to the website, TheNature InUs.com. Articles written by Donna L. Watkins can be reprinted with proper credit and link back to the website, TheNatureInUs.com.

Quotes

God Almighty first planted a garden. And indeed, it is the purest of human pleasures. -- Francis Bacon

"It is never too late to be what you might have been." – George Eliot - See more at: http://www.thenatureinus.com/#sthash.Rhtw3CRa.dpuf

"It is never too late to be what you might have been." – George Eliot - See more at: http://www.thenatureinus.com/#sthash.Rhtw3CRa.dpuf

"It's never too late to be what you might have been." -- George Eliott

"I've spent too long waiting for what's been taken from me, rather than enjoying what's been given to me." -- Unknown

“In God’s wilderness lies the hope of the world – the great fresh, unblighted, unredeemed wilderness. The galling harness of civilization drops off, and the wounds heal ere we are aware.” -- John Muir

"Faith is the bird that senses the light and sings while dawn is still dark." -- Rabindranath Tagore

"To know something about trees--about even one tree--is to know something profound about the nature of the world and our place in it." -- Gerald Jonas"I would rather live my life as if there is a God and die to find out that there isn't, than live my life as if there isn't and die to find out there is." -- Albert CamusLike winds and sunsets, wild things were taken for granted until progress began to do away with them. Now we face the question whether a still higher "standard of living" is worth its cost in things natural, wild and free. For us the minority, the opportunity to see geese is more important than television, and the chance to find a pasque-flower is a right as inalienable as free speech. -- Aldo Leopold (1886-1948)

"It is clear that there is one main message creation has to communicate to human beings, namely, the glory of God. Not primarily the glory of creation, but the glory of God. The glory of creation and the glory of God are as different as the love poem and the love, the painting and the landscape, the ring and the marriage. It would be a great folly and a great tragedy if a man loved his wedding band more than he loved his bride." -- John Piper

"We will do better in all aspects of life if we learn to "let go" of all we hold so tightly to and realize that control is a myth and striving for it is insanity." -- Donna L. Watkins